APFIVE AP Environmental Science Exam Info
Download PDFThe AP Environmental Science Exam will test your understanding of the environmental concepts covered in the course units, as well as your ability to design research studies to solve environmental problems.
This is a fully digital exam. You’ll complete multiple-choice and free-response questions in the Bluebook testing app, with all responses automatically submitted at the end of the exam.
Calculators are permitted for this exam. See AP Exams Calculator Policy for the list of calculators approved for this course.
Reference materials, such as equations sheets and reference tables, are available for this course. Go to Reference Information for Specific AP Exams to find reference materials for AP Environmental Science and exam day details.
AP Environmental Science Exam
This is the regularly scheduled date for the AP Environmental Science Exam.
Exam Components
Section I: Multiple Choice
The multiple-choice section includes individual, single questions as well as sets of questions that refer to the same diagram or data presentation; these may include data tables, charts, graphs, models, representations, and text-based sources.
Questions will test your ability to:
- Explain environmental concepts, processes, and models
- Analyze visual representations
- Analyze text sources
- Analyze research studies
- Analyze and interpret data
- Use math in solving problems
- Propose and justify solutions to environmental problems
Section II: Free Response
The free-response section includes three questions:
- Question 1: Design an investigation presents students with an authentic environmental scenario accompanied by either a model/visual representation or quantitative data.
- Question 2: Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution presents students with an authentic environmental scenario accompanied by either a model/visual representation or quantitative data.
- Question 3: Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations presents students with an authentic environmental scenario.
Questions will test your ability to:
- Explain environmental concepts, processes, and models
- Analyze visual representations
- Analyze research studies
- Analyze and interpret data
- Use math in solving problems
- Propose and justify solutions to environmental problems
Skills You'll Learn
Explaining environmental concepts and processes
Analyzing data, visual representations, and writings
Applying quantitative methods in solving problems
Proposing a solution for an environmental problem and supporting your idea with evidence
Analyzing a research study to identify a hypothesis
Units
Unit 1: The Living World: Ecosystems
You’ll begin to explore a view of planet Earth as one system made up of regional ecosystems composed of interdependent environmental features, processes, and relationships between species.
Topics may include:
- Introduction to ecosystems
- Terrestrial and aquatic biomes
- Primary productivity
- Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and water cycles
- Trophic levels
- The flow of energy in an ecosystem and the 10% rule
- Food chains and food webs
On The Exam
6%–8% of exam score
Unit 2: The Living World: Biodiversity
You’ll learn about the importance of biodiversity within ecosystems and the impact of outside factors on the evolution of organisms.
Topics may include:
- Introduction to biodiversity
- Ecosystem services
- Island biogeography
- Ecological tolerance
- Natural disruptions to ecosystems
- Ecological succession
On The Exam
6%–8% of exam score
Unit 3: Populations
You’ll examine how populations within ecosystems change over time, and the factors that affect population growth.
Topics may include:
- Generalist and specialist species
- Survivorship curves
- Population growth and resource availability
- Age structure diagrams
- Human population dynamics
On The Exam
10%–15% of exam score
Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources
You’ll study the natural components that make up the environment, from geologic features to the atmosphere and climate.
Topics may include:
- Tectonic plates
- Soil formation and erosion
- Earth's atmosphere
- Global wind patterns
- Earth's geography and climate
- El Niño and La Niña
On The Exam
10%–15% of exam score
Unit 5: Land and Water Use
You’ll examine how humans use and consume natural resources, and the ways in which we disrupt ecosystems, both positively and negatively.
Topics may include:
- The tragedy of the commons
- The Green Revolution
- Types and effects of irrigation
- Pest-control methods
- Meat production methods and overfishing
- The impacts of mining
- Urbanization and ecological footprints
- Introduction to sustainable practices including crop rotation and aquaculture
On The Exam
10%–15% of exam score
Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption
You’ll learn about renewable and nonrenewable sources of energy, where they’re used, and their impact on the environment.
Topics may include:
- Energy sources and fuel types, including fossil fuels, ethanol, and nuclear power
- Global energy consumption and distribution of natural resources
- Natural sources of energy, including solar power, wind, geothermal, and hydroelectric power
- Energy conservation methods
On The Exam
10%–15% of exam score
Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution
You’ll learn more about air pollution, including how human actions can cause it, and you’ll analyze legislation intended to regulate emissions and improve air quality.
Topics may include:
- Introduction to air pollution
- Photochemical smog
- Indoor air pollution
- Methods to reduce air pollutants
- Acid rain
- Noise pollution
On The Exam
7%–10% of exam score
Unit 8: Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution
You’ll examine the impact of pollution on ecosystems and learn how to determine its source.
Topics may include:
- Sources of pollution
- Human impact on ecosystems
- Thermal pollution
- Solid waste disposal and waste reduction methods
- Pollution and human health
- Pathogens and infectious diseases
On The Exam
7%–10% of exam score
Unit 9: Global Change
You’ll come to understand the global impact of local and regional human activities and evaluate and propose solutions.
Topics may include:
- Ozone depletion
- Global climate change
- Ocean warming and acidification
- Invasive species
- Human impacts on diversity
On The Exam
15%–20% of exam score